Several states limiting the length of opioid analgesic prescriptions – Drug for nerve pain boosts high for opioid abusers.

Several states limiting the length of opioid analgesic prescriptions – Drug for nerve pain boosts high for opioid abusers. (866) 348-2889

At least 17 states have enacted rules to curb the number of opioid analgesics doctors can prescribe. Some—including Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Ohio—have passed laws limiting the duration of initial opioid prescriptions to 5 or 7 days. Others are passing dosage limits. In Kentucky, a law went into effect last month capping opioid prescriptions for acute pain to 3 days. CDC last year issued guidance for providers, recommending shorter durations for opioid prescriptions, stating that 3 days should be sufficient and a course of more than 7 days “will rarely be needed.” According to a CDC study, patients who use such drugs for longer periods of time are more likely to end up addicted to them. Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced federal legislation in April to limit an initial opioid prescription to 7 days. It would not apply to the treatment of chronic pain, cancer, hospice or palliative care.